Introducing a licensing regime for tattoo parlours and artists, banning bikie gang members

Motorcycles to be crushed as punishment for certain crimes

ACCL president Terry O'Gorman says the measures are an outrageous return to draconian government.

"This is shock and awe tactics by the Queensland Government," he said.

"It is manic policy making where both the Attorney-General and the Premier have outrightly [sic] refused to consult with anyone except the police about these proposals.

"This is a return - pure and simple - to the [former Queensland premier Joh] Bjelke-Petersen era, where you introduce legislation, you refuse to consult with anyone.

"The police and the Premier proudly announced the other day that the only parliamentary check and balance, that's going to be bypassed.

"[Mr Newman] hasn't given any reason other than the fact I can because 'I have a thumping majority and I have no Upper House to control me'."

Debbie Kilroy, from the prisoner support group Sisters Inside, says the bikie-only prison will be the equivalent of solitary confinement.

"It's just a pack of fear-mongering and I suppose my concern is pushing young men further to the margins by keeping them in solitary confinement, which creates a number of issues, people can get quite angry," she said.

"They're obviously isolated, they can develop mental health issues, which brings another burden not only for them and their families, but also financially for the state."

Legal challenge possible

Criminal lawyer Bill Potts, who is representing the Finks motorcycle gang in a Supreme Court action, says the Government's plan for a bikies-only jail could be open to legal challenge.

Mr Potts says the Commissioner for Jails has the power to impose such conditions in some circumstances, but the State Government is taking that provision too far.

"It seems the Government is effectively trying to force perpetual cruel and unusual behaviour upon people for no good purpose," he said.

"We are seeing yet another over-reach and another step by the Government to effectively [enforce] extreme punishment upon people in circumstances where it is quite unnecessary."

The Queensland Opposition says the laws are being rushed through without proper scrutiny.

Yesterday Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said more details were needed.

"I'm in the dark - just as all Queenslanders are in the dark - in relation to the raft of amendments the Government is going to propose," she said.